April 15, 2012

Results from a study involving over 100,000 people found that 32 genetic regions play a role in the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. The mutations could increase or decrease the risk of fractures that result from when the bones become weakened. Six of these regions were actually tied to fracture risks of the femur (upper leg bone) or lower back. The number of variants between individuals did dramatically change the risk of a fracture or developing osteoporosis. It is likely that many more genes could be involved, making it difficult to predict who is at a higher risk for bone disease. Researchers hope that these regions will allow them to understand bone health pathways so they can be therapeutically targeted with drugs to prevent and treat osteoporosis.